Washington — The US said on Tuesday it had shot down a simulated, incoming intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) similar to ones being developed by countries such as North Korea, in a new test of the nation’s defences. Planned months ago, the US missile defence test over the Pacific Ocean has gained significance after North Korea’s launch on July 4 of an intercontinental ballistic missile heightened concerns about the threat from Pyongyang. The test was the first of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system against an incoming IRBM, which experts say is a faster and more difficult target to hit than shorter-range missiles. The US Missile Defence Agency said the IRBM was designed to behave similarly to the kinds of missiles that could threaten the US. "The successful demonstration of THAAD against an IRBM-range missile threat bolsters the country’s defensive capability against developing missile threats in North Korea and other countries," the agency said. The US h...
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